Biology of the Rat

Biology of the Rat

Taxonomy

Order: Rodentia

Suborder: Myomorpha

Family: Muridae

Sub-Family: Murinae

Genus: Rattus

Species: Rattus norvegicus

Origin and Habitat

The Norway rat or brown rat, having no special connection with Norway, originated from temperate regions of central Asia. The rat is found worldwide (largely via ships). Historically, they have played a major role in disease transmission, a fact still important in today’s world.

In the wild, rats are largely nocturnal, live in burrows, and will eat just about anything including seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables, fruits, meats, and invertebrates. Rats are also known for their propensity to inhabit human dwellings and to destroy food supplies. As a result of their gnawing ability, far more food is destroyed than eaten. Further evidence of the damage caused by rats is illustrated by reports of gnawing the insulation from wire and even penetrating metal pipes.

Uses

The first domestic rats were originally raised by fanciers and to fight terriers (hence, rat terrier). Rats are occasionally kept as pets and still for fancy, but the vast majority of domestic rats are obtained from laboratory animal breeders for use in biomedical research, testing, and education. In fact, the rat is the second most commonly used animal in biomedical activities, exceeded only by its relative, the mouse. Several stocks, strains, and mutants are available, but there are much fewer than the mouse. Most laboratory rats are outbred albinos, such as the Wistar, Sprague-Dawley, and Holtzman. Another popular laboratory rat is the Long-Evans, also known as the "hooded rat", as it has darker hair over parts of the head and anterior body.

Handling

A rat can be lifted by the base of the tail, but this technique should be employed for only short periods, such as to move a rat from one enclosure to another. Grasping the tail other than at the base and lifting the rat may result in slippage of the skin and subcutaneous tissues, and subsequent necrosis, infection, and sloughing of the caudal vertebrae. It also affords the rat with a perfect opportunity to swing and bite.

A more suitable technique to lift and restrain the rat is to place the hand over the rat’s back, slipping the thumb ventrally between the forelimbs into the intermandibular space. The rat can then be inverted and held upside down in the palm of the hand.

Anatomy and Physiology

Adult body weight: 250 - 300g (female); 450 - 520g (male)

Life span: 2.5 - 3.5 years

Respiratory rate: 70 - 115 breaths/minute

Heart rate: 250 - 450 beats/minute

Normal average rectal temperature: 100ºF

Nutrition

Rats should be fed a commercial pelleted rat or rodent diet and water ad lib. These diets are nutritionally complete and do not require supplementation.

Food intake is approximately 5g/100g BW/day; water intake is approximately 10-12ml/100g BW/day.

Reproduction

Breeding onset is between 65-100 days of age in both females and males, although females may have their first estrus at 35 days. Rats are polyestrous and breed year round; ovulation is spontaneous. The duration of the estrous cycle is 4-5 days and estrus itself lasts about 12 hours, occurring in the evening. Vaginal smears are useful for determining the stage of the estrous cycle. Mating is usually nocturnal and may be confirmed by the presence of a copulatory plug in the vagina for 12-24 hours post-copulation, although this is not as reliable as indicator as in the mouse. The presence of sperm on a vaginal smear is a good indicator of mating.

The Whitten effect, the synchronization of the estrous cycles of females exposed to the pheromones of a male occurs in rats, but is not as pronounced as in mice. The Bruce effect (see Reproduction, Mouse) does not occur in rats.

The average gestation period is 22 days. A fertile postpartum estrus occurs within 48 hours of parturition, and simultaneous lactation and gestation may prolong gestation 3-5 days due to delayed implantation. The average litter size is 6-12. The young are called pups and weight 5-6 grams at birth, are hairless, and have closed eyelids and ears. Cannibalism is uncommon (except with new mothers), but females should not be disturbed during parturition and for at least 2 days postpartum. Pups are weaned at 3 weeks of age; weaning weight is 40-50 grams. If the postpartum estrus is not utilized, the female resumes cycling 2-4 days post-weaning.

Newborn male rats are distinguished from newborn females by noting the greater anogenital distance and larger genital papilla in the male. This is best accomplished by lifting the tails of littermates and comparing perineums.

Pseudopregnancy may follow sterile matings, but is uncommon.

Diseases of the Gerbils

Bacterial Diseases

Streptococcocosis: Streptococcus pneumoniae

Pseudotuberculosis (Corynebacteriosis): Corynebacterium kutscheri

Tyzzer’s Disease: Bacillus piliformis

Pasteurellosis: Pasteurella pneumotropica

Salmonellosis: Salmonella enteritidis

Pseudomoniasis: Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Streptobacillosis: Streptobacillus moniliformis

Murine Respiratory Mycoplasmosis: Mycoplasm pulmonis

Mycoplasmal Arthritis: Mycoplasma arthriditis

Hemobartonellosis: Hemobartonella muris

Viral Diseases

Rat Virus

Sialodacryoadenitis

Sendai Virus

Parasitic Diseases

Hepatozoonosis: Hepatozoon muris

Sarcocystosis: Sarcocystis muris

Spironuclus muris

Giardia muris

Syphacia muris

Aspicularis tetraptera

Hymenolepis nana

Hymenolepis diminuta

Taenia taeniaeformis

Polyplax spinulosa

Radfordia ensirfera

Notedres muris

Laelaps echidninus

Fungal Disease

Trichophyton mentagrophytes

Non-infectious diseases

Ringtail

Annular constriction, with or without tail sloughing

Associated with high temperatures and low (below 40% humidity).

Chromodacryorrhea

Secretion of porphyrin pigments from the Harderian gland into the tears.

Dried "red tears" may leave a flourescing red crust about the eyes and nose.

Stress and advancing age, as well as certain diseases are associated with this condition.

Mammary neoplasm

Usually a fibroadenoma, which is usually well encapsulated and easy to remove.